Method of ascertaining the compass direction of moving objects.



' No. 811,852. PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906. I. KITSEE.

METHOD OF ASGERTAINING THE GOMPASS DIREOTIO APPLIOATION FILED MAY 18. 1901. RENEWED J'A N 0F MOVING OBJECTS.

2 SHEBTSSHBET 1 ,T- mm V/////////// WITNESSES INVENTOR No. 811,852. PATENTED FEB. 6, 1906.

I. KITSEE.

METHOD OF ASGERTAINING THE COMPASS DIRECTION OF MOVING OBJECT APPLICATION FILED MAY 18. 1901. RENEWED JAB. 15 1903.

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rection of moving operati or view of one of the nnrrnn srn'rns rnrnnr orrion.

ISIDUR KITSEE, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. METHOD OF ASCERTAINING THE COMPASS DIRECTION OF MOVING OBJECTS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May 18, 1901. Renewed January 15,

To (all whom it may concern.-

lie it known that ii, IsIDoR Krrsnn, of the city and Pennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Method of Ascertaining the Compass Direction of Moving )b ]ects, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an. improvement in the method of ascertaining the compass diobjects.

Generally speaking, my invention consists therein that the varying resistance of a circuit due to the varying position of the magcounty of Philadelphia, State of net-needle is indicated by an electric device-- such, ior instance, as a galvanometer-and this my invention has more special reference to the method'of ascertaining the compass direction oi such moving objects---as, for instance, dirigible torpedoes and the hire.

llirigihle torpedoes were tried in the navy oi nearly every government and would have been adopted by the authorities were it not for one d el'ect to which all dirigible torpedi'ies no matter of what construction are snbjectthe inability by the operator to ascertain their compass direction after he has lost sight of same or after they have traveicd out of view.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a diagrammatic showing my invention in in a detailplan viewoi one ed. Fig. 3 is a crow-seccoin passes. Fig. 4. a plan i'UEiTPfljSSQS, showing a modilication oi same. i 'ig. 5 is a diagrnnninatic view of my inverd ice; in a modified form. Fig i5 is a detail plan cw of one of the comp es used in this Iiititillil'fli form. Fig. 7 a crosssection oi one of the compasses.

A a torpedo or other object to be steered.

B B are the two compasses, provided, res 'iectively, with the needles C andv C.

l) and l) are the channels formed upon the interior of the compass-cases.

c is a contact depending from the needles (1 and t).

E and E are terminals for the wires a and I). These terminals act also as stops for the needles.

F is the conducting liquid contained in the grooves or channels D and D v G is a galvanometer or other indicator.

a, I), a, 11, 0, and b arethe branches of a oi the its i5. m tion or. one of the I with the resistances needle of this galvanorneter Patented Feb. 6, 1906. 1903. Serial No. 139,226.

Wheatstone bridge connected to the wires 1 and 2. The wire 1 is groundedwith the interposition of battery H at I. This ground consists, in the case where the moving object is floating on the ocean, of a conductor in contact with the water. The wire 2 is connected directly to the ground-plate J.

R R are variable resistances in conjunction r r. The office of the resistances 7' r is to make the resistance value of the part a? b of the Wheatstone bridge equal to the part a band 0/ b. The resistances R are aid oi which more or less resistance can be placed in the circuit.

In Fig. 4 a modification is shown in which the contact 0 instead of being formed with the needle is formed with the cross-arm K. This cross-arm is secured to the needle and is carried by the same in a manner so as to revolve therewith.

In practicing my invention itis first necessary to calibrate the variable resistances R R and to provide the same withdials which are a counterpart of the dials of the com asses. In calibrating itis best to proceedin t e following manner: The two ends of the cable designed to form the eonnecting-link between the moving torpedo and the operators vessel are made the intervening circuit of a Wheatstone bridge, in which are placed at one end the compasses of the construction, as specified, and at the other end the two variable resistances R R, the faces of the dials of which are at the beginning entirely void of any lettering. In the normal positionthat is, when the needles of both compasses touch the respective cohducting-points and when the levers l of the resistances R connect with the contact-points Z-then the resistance of all parts of the bridge should be equal, and the needle of the galvanometer G shall therefore point to zero. To calibrate the resistance R, it is only necessary to rotate the case of one of the compasses in a manner so that the needle should successively assume different positions as to the zeropoint of the dial, thereby indicating difl'erent compass directions. As soon as the com pass-needle is outof contact with its contactpoint a resistance is inserted in one branch of the'bridge and the current-flow throu h the galvanometer will be unequal and t e will indicate the provided each with the lever l, with the i one or the other of the resistances R has then to be moved so as to insert an e ual resistance in theother part of the bri ge-circuit, thereby again equalizing the flow of the current through the galvanometer G and bringing the needle of this instrument again to zero. The value of resistance necessary to counteract the resistance due to the position of the compass-needle is then marked on the I dial of the resistance R. For instance, if the compass direction of both of the compasses is due north both needles will contact with the contact-points E and E. In this case the levers lot the resistances R will also connect with the contact-points. Z Z. The resistances bein equal, the needle of the galvanometer wilpoint to zero. On the dial of the resistances R this position of the levers may then be marked N, (north) if now the right hand compass is revolved in a manner so that the needle should indicate N. B, then the resistance inserted in that part of the bridge in which this particular compass is inserted will disturb the balance of the bridge, and the galvanometer-needle will indicate this disturbance. The lever l of the right-hand resistance R is then moved. in a manner so as to insert an equal resistance in the brid e, again equalizing the bridge as to the flow 0 the current through the gaivanometer. Through this manipulation the needle of the galvanorneter will again assume its zero position, and the position of the lever l should be marked on the dial of the resistance R N. E, (northeast,) and so on till all the compass directions marked on the dial of the compass correspond with the dialmarks on the variable resistances. 4

In Fig. 5 each of the compasses is provided with two annular grooves or channels D and 63, respectively. In the liquid F of the groove D the conducting-point c of the needle C dips, and in the liquid f of the groove d the conducting-point c dips The annular groove D is provided with the conductingpoint E, used also as a stop for the needle 6 in one direction, and the groove (5 is provided with the metallic rim on around its inner circumference, which rim is in electrical contact with the binding-post M. No matter, therefore, in what position the conducting-point c is the resistence between this point and the binding-post M will always remain the same, because the distance of this point from the inner conductor m will always remain uniform. Two line-wires c and b are used in this modification. In each line-wire is in serted one of the compasses B and B. One part of the circuit a is connected to the hinding-post M and the other part of this circuitor line-wire is connected to the binding-post E. As long as the needle C rests against the stop E the current will flow directly from M,

- the compass.

through in, liquid f, conductingoint c, 6 5

which. is always at equal distance om this conductor m, through the needle-contact E to the ground; but as soon as the needle moves away from the contact then the resistance, consisting of the liquid F, is inserted in the line wire. equal in construction and in the mode of operation, with the exception that the stop 6 prevents the needle of one compass to move in one direction and prevents the needle of the other compass to move in the opposite direction. Both compasses are lettered alike, with the exception that the letters in one compass are also provided with 1. These compasses are placed on the moving object or torpedo, At the operators station the line-wires a and b are provided each with one of the galvanometers G and G, respectivel Each line-wire is also provided with once the variable resistances ll. Normally all the resistance of each oi the devices is placed in the circuit, and it both compass the numeral Both compasses Band B are needles rest against their stops then the resistance of both circuits will be equal and the needles of the galvanometers willboth point to thesamedegree of deflection needle of one of the galvanometers moves from this stop, an additional resistance will be inserted in the line of which the particular galvanometer forms part; needle or" the indicating device will therefore point to a different degree than the needle oi the indicating device inserted in the other circuit. With the aid of the lever l such'part oi the resistance R is then cut out of the circuit as be equal in value to the resistance placed in the circuit by the moving of the needle of if the needle of the galvanometer in this line will point to the same degree of deflection as the needle of the galvanometer of the other line-wire, then the resistance cut-out with the aid of the lever 1 will equal in value the resistance placed in the line-wire through the movement of the compass-needle, and as the resistance device R is provided with a scale indicating the degree of resistance by the degree of the compass it is obvious that through the moving it now the is" the lever the direction of the compassneedle can easily be ascertained if both the compass-resistance F and the resistance R are first calibrated and their respective relative values ascertained.

A valuable auxiliary to this my invention is the socalled sighting-chart or position-finder used to-day for sighting heavy ordnance, and with the aid oi same in conjunction with my invention the compass direction of the torpedo, &c.,for each length of cable paid out can be ascertained to a nicety.

As a liquid resistance for the compasses either diluted sulfuric acid or any of the neutral salts can be usedas', for instance, sul= iate of iron-or, in fact, any liquid which is made conducting by the addition of a metallic salt or acid.

I have described and illustrated the com asses as provided with an annular groove;

ut it is understood that the whole inner space can be filled with the liquid without-dc arting from the scope of my invention. ii an annular groove is used, the compass has to be provided with a device capable of keeping the case always in a horizontal position.

I am well aware that the device as illustrated and described is subject to different modifications; but as T am the first toascertain the compass direction of moving objects by the different degree of resistance due to the different positions of the needle such modifications are included in this my invention.-

It is preferred that all conducting parts of the compass-needle as well as the casing,with the exception of that side of the contactpoint with which the needle normally 0on nects, and the conducting part of the needle itself, should be well insulated with shellac or other insulating material.

l am also well aware that the needle of a compass always points north, and, strictly apcaking, the position of the compass-needle oes not vary; but, as it is a common phrase to speak of the needle T varying in position and not of the compass-case to vary the direction I make use of the expressions varying needle or varying compass-needle and understand under them that the needle points to a different part of the dial through moving of the object on which the dial is "i aced. i The distinction between the invention covered by this case and that covered by my pending application, Serial No. 60,958, filed May 18, 1901, resides in the fact that the compass direction in this case is not indicated automatically, but onl after the variable re- J sistances are manna 1y operated to restore the balance of the bridge, while in application Serial No. 60,958 the compass-direction automatically indicated.

Having now described myinvention, What a i claim as new, and desire to secure by Lettcrs Patent, is-

l. The method of ascertaining the compass direction of movin objects, which consists in passing a current 0? electricity through a movable member of a compass, and a resistance which chan es the fiow of the current in accordance with the direction ofthe moving object, causing an indicator to vary in ac ccrdance with the current-flow, and indicating the compass direction of the moving object by a variable resistance through the medium of which latter said indicator is restored to equilibrium.

2. The method of ascertaining the compass direction of movin objects,which consists in passlng a current 0 electricity through a movable member of a compass and a Wheatstone bridge, disturbing the balance of said bridge by the varying position of said movable compass member, and restoring the balance of the ridge by a variable resistance adapted to indicate, through the degree of resistance necessary for the restoration of the balance of said bridge, the compass direction of the moving object.

3. The method of ascertaining the compass direction of moving objects, which consists in passing a current of electricity through amovable member of a compass and a Wheatstone bridge, disturbing the balance of said bridge by the varying position of said movable compass member, indicating the disturbed condi tion of said balance in accordance with the varying position of the movable compass member, and restoring the balance of the bridge by a variable resistance adapted to indicate, through the degree of resistance necessary for the restoration of the balance of said bridge, the compass direction of the moving object.

4. The method of ascertaining the compass direction of moving objects, which consists in passing a current of electricity through a movable member of a compass and a Wheatstone bridge, disturbing the balance of said bridge 1 b increasing the resistance of one arm there- 0% through the varying position of the n1ovable member of the compass, and restoring the balance of said bridge by decreasing the resistance of said arm until such resistance is equal to that of the second arm of the brid e, the value of the resistance removed from the first-mentioned arm being adapted to indicate the compass direction of the moving ob- 'ect.

J 5. The method of ascertaining the compass direction of moving obj ects,wh1ch consists in passing a current of electricity through a movable member of a compass and a Wheatstone bridge, disturbing the balance of said bridge by increasin the resistance of one arm thereoi through t e varying position of the movable member of the compass, indicating the degree of increased resistance, and restoring the balance of said bridge by decreasing the resistance of said arm until such resistance is e ual to that of the second arm of the bridge, t e value of the resistance removed from the firstmentioned arm bein adapted to indicate the compass direction 0 the moving ob'ect.

6. T e method of ascertaining the compass direction of movin objects,wiuch consists in passing a current 0 electricity through a movable member of a compass and a Wheatstone bridge, disturbing the balance of said bridge b increasin the resistance of one arm thereoi through t e varying position of the mov- & @lhfi in; testimony hereci I heebj sign name, in the presence of two suascmbmgw1t- 161 this 14th day of May, AwD. 1901, v

ISEDOR- KITSEEB able member of the cempess, and restoring the balance of said bridge through the medium of a variable resistance by means of which messes, the iesistsnce in'seid arm is equalized with the resistance in a second arm of the bridge,' saidvarisble resistance being eda ted to m dicete the compass direction 0f t e moving. object.

Witnesses:

WALLACE B. ELDRIDGE, EDITH PM STILLEYQ 

